Charlotte officials deem First Night a success

City officials on Wednesday deemed First Night Charlotte and its move to Romare Bearden Park a success, as police reported no significant events at the alcohol-free gathering or elsewhere across the city.

An estimated 12,500 children and adults attended both First Night Kids and First Night Charlotte at Romare Bearden Park. In a report Wednesday, city officials said the move to the park went smoothly.

Among city and county officials at First Night Charlotte were City Manager Ron Carlee, Mayor Pro Tem Michael Barnes, Police Chief Rodney Monroe, Fire Chief Jon Hannan and Jim Garges, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation director.

Police reported that five adults were arrested in the center city area from 6 p.m. Tuesday to 2 a.m. Wednesday. Four were charged with intoxication and disruptive behavior, and one was charged with trespassing.

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Three juveniles were arrested – two for curfew violations and one for disorderly conduct and assault on an officer. The officer wasn’t seriously injured, police said.

Medic responded to six calls in the First Night event area on Tuesday, with four people transported to the hospital. One patient was transported with injuries described as potentially life threatening; three patients had injuries that weren’t life-threatening.

Early Wednesday, Medic responded to seven more calls in the First Night event area, with six people transported to the hospital with injuries that weren’t life-threatening. The types of injuries weren’t available Wednesday.

The Lynx Blue Line, meanwhile, had 19,734 riders, up 26 percent over a regular Tuesday night.

CharMeck 311 extended its hours until 1 a.m. Wednesday. Call volume was light, about 10 percent less than New Year’s Eve 2012, according to the report. Calls included noise complaints, event information and transfers to 911.

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